I’ve started this post a few times and it’s hard to know what to say.
The world is frighteningly strange right now, and yet frustratingly normal at the same time. I’m lucky to be safe and comfortable during lockdown. We have a house and garden, with woods and fields that we can walk to each day with the dog. My family are okay, I’m still working and, as an introvert, I’m happy to be spending time at home with my husband. I know not everyone is as lucky.
What has been difficult during this time is writing. If I’m honest, I’ve been struggling for a while to work on my new novel, as I’ve been much more focused on building up freelance work and completing lots of writing submissions and applications. But perhaps that’s an excuse, who knows.
Since the lockdown has started, I’ve been trying to get used to the change in routine. While I’ve gained two hours a day from working at home and avoiding the commute, I’ve been working longer hours. And although I’ve created a work space in the dining room for day job work, it’s been hard to bring myself to move into the other room and spend the evening on the laptop, working on writing projects.
But I think that’s okay. I’m giving myself space to rest in the evenings, and I’ve actually been able to sleep properly again, something I struggle with usually. I’ve done some writing here and there, alongside some freelance work. Last week I even did a significant chunk of planning for my book that I hope will help me move it along.
So now I want to focus on writing again. We have a week off work, which we had planned to spend at a riverside cabin, before the world changed.
I’m not going to finish the book any time soon, and I’m probably going to lose track of the days, but this week I’m happy to have some time to spend building up my writing habit. I can’t control what’s happening outside, but I can try and keep things going in our little bubble.
I hope you’re managing the lockdown and writing, or not writing, whatever keeps you going. Stay safe.